Foot-and-mouth restrictions eased

The collection of dead animals from farms outside the protection zone and the movement of live animals direct to slaughterhouses which meet strict standards is once again permitted, the Government's chief veterinary officer Debby Reynolds said.

The ban on other movements of susceptible animals remains in force. The Welsh and Scottish governments have announced similar moves.

Asked if she now believed that the situation was under control, Ms Reynolds said that it was still "very early".

She added: "We have got two infected premises and a new premise that has been culled on suspicion. The risk of spread outside is low but not negligible."

The country's most senior veterinary officer said that the decision to relax restrictions on movement to abattoirs had not been made out of financial concern but was based on her own assessment of risk.

National Farmers' Union president Peter Kendall welcomed the announcement.

He said: "This is a measured and very necessary first step on the road towards getting the industry back to normal and maintaining supplies of home-produced meat to consumers, but it should not be taken in any way as a signal that we can afford to drop our guard.

"It is as vital as ever that livestock farmers remain vigilant, check their stock regularly and report anything suspicious immediately. The highest possible standards of bio-security must be maintained."

"The next step, on which we are in active discussion with Defra, is to introduce arrangements that will allow animals to be moved on welfare grounds, subject of course to appropriate safeguards."